SIGN UP

Create an Inhabitat account

Sign up for weekly newsletter

I agree to receive emails from the site. I can withdraw my consent at any time by unsubscribing.

I agree to Inhabitat's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and to the use of cookies described therein, and I also consent to the collection, storage, and processing of my data in the United States, where data protection laws may be different from those in my country.

Mind Igloo is a Temporary Shelter Made of Recycled Hot Air Balloons

DUS Architects have transformed two disused hot air balloons into Mind Igloo—a temporary shelter and projection screen in the Netherlands. The idea—commissioned by Mediamatic as part of the fourth New Order festival—was to explore the creation of new urban spaces through collective thinking. As such, visitors to the installation are asked to remove their shoes, hand over their smartphones and relax in the second, padded bubble, where a selection of images taken from their phones are randomly projected on the interior walls of the balloon.

The same people who brought us The Bubble Building – the world’s most temporary structure – want to explore the possibility that one day buildings will pop up only when we need them. Although the hot air balloons can physically exist on their own, the Mind Igloo is designed to play with the possibility that some buildings might one day rely on the presence and participation of social groups for their very structure.

And to a certain extent, the projection aspect of the project doesn’t exist without participants. DUS likens this to a lay-inn (instead of a drive-in), where people relax together and watch their communal, interior lives play out on a shared screen. It’s an abstract concept to be sure, but it’s also an exciting way to re-use hot air balloons that have outlived their former purpose. Be sure to watch the video to see the Mind Igloo come to life.

RELATED ARTICLES

{{category(n, postList)}}

Slideshow

Mind Igloo is a Temporary Shelter Made of Recycled Hot Air Balloons

DUS Architects have transformed two disused hot air balloons into Mind Igloo—a temporary shelter and projection screen in the Netherlands. The idea—commissioned by Mediamatic as part of the fourth New Order festival—was to explore the creation of new

Mind Igloo by DUS Architects

1 of 7

DUS Architects have transformed two disused hot air balloons into Mind Igloo—a temporary shelter and projection screen in the Netherlands. The idea—commissioned by Mediamatic as part of the fourth New Order festival—was to explore the creation of new urban spaces through collective thinking. As such, visitors to the installation are asked to remove their shoes, hand over their smartphones and relax in the second, padded bubble, where a selection of images taken from their phones are randomly projected on the interior walls of the balloon.

This is a temporary art/architecture installation in the Netherlands

Mind Igloo by DUS Architects

2 of 7

This is a temporary art/architecture installation in the Netherlands

Two disused hot air balloons are blown up into an igloo space

Mind Igloo by DUS Architects

3 of 7

Two disused hot air balloons are blown up into an igloo space

Inside, participants are asked to hand over their smartphones

Mind Igloo by DUS Architects

4 of 7

Inside, participants are asked to hand over their smartphones

Once they are in the second bubble, random images are taken from the phones and projected on the interior walls

Mind Igloo by DUS Architects

5 of 7

Once they are in the second bubble, random images are taken from the phones and projected on the interior walls

DUS likens this to a lie-in instead of a drive-in!

Mind Igloo by DUS Architects

6 of 7

DUS likens this to a lie-in instead of a drive-in!

The project is designed to get us thinking about the importance of creating urban spaces through collective thought!

Mind Igloo by DUS Architects

7 of 7

The project is designed to get us thinking about the importance of creating urban spaces through collective thought!